Fête de la radio opening address by Roch-Olivier Maistre

Opening of the Assises de la radio - Fête de la radio 2022
Thursday June 2, 2022 - 9am (La Seine musicale)

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Ladies and gentlemen, dear friends, dear radio stations, I'm particularly happy to see you again this morning, in this beautiful venue that is La Seine musicale, to which I myself am very attached, for this second edition of the Fête de la radio. As you know, last year, the French Superior Audiovisual Council wanted to unite all the energies of the radio medium around an event entirely dedicated to it. 2021 offered us a special opportunity, as it was a highly symbolic year for radio: we celebrated its 100th anniversary and the 40th anniversary of the liberation of the airwaves, which certainly merited a celebration.

Arcom wished to continue its commitment to this medium so dear to our hearts. This event also serves to highlight the extraordinary richness and diversity of our radio landscape, which comprises over 1,000 stations in mainland and overseas France: it's this network that gives the radio industry its strength, and above all enables it to be a vector of proximity, a vector of social cohesion and a privileged player in the information arena, as well as a precious and indispensable intermediary for artists and creators.

1. The success of this first edition of the Fête de la radio has convinced us all to anchor the tradition and make it a recurring event.

I'm therefore delighted to be here with you today to open this 2022 edition, and I'd like to extend my warmest thanks to all the operators and partners who are associated with the event, which is sponsored by the French Ministry of Culture. That's what this Festival is all about: paying tribute to all those who make this medium so successful, and giving us the opportunity to exchange ideas freely on themes specific to this medium, highlighting all the projects that demonstrate radio's ability to bring people together, adapt and federate, at both national and local levels.

In fact, we've conceived the Fête de la radio as a decentralized event, based on initiatives set up throughout France and overseas France. By 2021, we'll have brought together more than 500 events. In 2022, the French Superior Audiovisual Council gave way to Arcom, the French regulatory authority for audiovisual and digital communication, a large regulator with expanded powers, but our missions relating to the radio landscape have not changed, and our attachment to this medium remains as strong as ever! In fact, we'll be very much in evidence over the two days, with the active participation of Hervé Godechot, a member of the Arcom college, whom I'd like to thank in particular for his commitment and enthusiasm in the service of radio, and the presence in large numbers of our teams, notably from the Radio and Digital Audio Department, with which you all regularly interact. We've also set up a dedicated Arcom stand, where we'll be able to welcome you and answer your questions.

2. This event will enable us to discuss the challenges and developments facing radio in an audiovisual industry in the throes of change.

It's true that the radio medium is always being questioned. It was confronted with the Covid-19 pandemic, which amplified its difficulties. The number of stations purchased is down slightly, the advertising market is experiencing the tensions and fragilities we all know about, particularly at local level, and listen time has been on the decline in recent years. Uncertainties about the future of the medium, and in particular of the smallest structures, are therefore legitimate. I know they will be addressed during the two days of debates that are about to begin. The question of financing in particular is crystallizing expectations and questions, in a context that will be marked by the reform of the public audiovisuel contribution, a very important change for the landscape and one on which I've already had the opportunity to speak. These trends and uncertainties should not, however, mask the resilience and robustness of the radio medium. In 2021, radio will continue to be listened to daily for an average of 2 hours and 42 minutes. Every day, and especially every morning, nearly three quarters of French people have their ears "glued to the radio", as the saying goes.

They also prefer it, among other media, for musical discovery and general information, and media confidence barometers place radio at the top of the rankings year after year. It's a real, ongoing attachment that shows our gratitude to all the people who keep our stations alive and kicking. As I often say, radio is the "medium of the heart", a medium of passion and loyalty. The Covid-19 crisis has highlighted the medium's great capacity to adapt, with radio stations rapidly adjusting their programming and working methods to keep their audiences better informed and entertained.

For over a hundred years, radio's strength has been its ability to reinvent itself and project itself into the future. Its ability to imagine new programs, to use innovative media, to embrace new technologies to attract different audiences, demonstrates this: I'm thinking of the roll-out of DAB+, connected speakers, new applications like Radioplayer, and the development of podcasts, all of which are tangible evidence of the agility and ability of players to federate. This is why we have decided, along with the French Ministry of Culture, to set up an observatory for podcasting and audio creation, which will enable us to monitor and gather data to determine whether or not podcasting should be included in our field of regulation. The return of "voice" over video, and its ability to attract younger listeners, is excellent news for the sector. The industry knows how to understand and respond to new consumer trends.

3. For its part, the regulator is committed to supporting the players in the radio landscape as closely as possible, to help them make the most of these changes.

In 2021, we continued to modernize the FM band, which is still the primary means of listening to radio and essential to the sector's equilibrium. Together with you, we have also taken decisive new steps in the deployment of digital radio.
Since the opening of new multiplexes last October, 42% of the population in mainland France is now covered by DAB+. Three multiplexes were recently launched, on May 17, in the Orleans, Poitiers and Tours areas. More towns will be covered before the end of the year, bringing DAB+ coverage to over 50% of the population. To enable all radio stations to benefit from the advances made possible by DAB+, Arcom has urged the authorities to strengthen support for radio stations, particularly community radio stations, in this new phase of deployment, which can involve high installation and diffusion costs. I will shortly be meeting Rima Abdul-Malak, the Minister of Culture, and will be discussing with her all the issues affecting this medium, and in particular this point.

As you will have understood, DAB+ is a vector of the future for radio, but it's not the only one. There are many opportunities for innovation, and you can count on Arcom's involvement and listening skills as we work together to transform this medium, both in Paris and in the regions, including overseas France. Beyond the support of the authorities and the regulator, the future of the radio industry also lies - and I'd like to stress this point to you - in its ability to bring together its players to identify innovative solutions and jointly face up to the challenges of the sector; this is also the meaning of the association project in favor of DAB+, which has finally seen the light of day. This is good news for the sector.

Faced with the challenges facing this medium, the time has come to move away from divisions. The current challenges summon all forces, both regulatory and authorities, to work together to shape the new frontier of this medium, to which the French are deeply attached.

In any case, we at Arcom are convinced of the future and strength of the radio medium, and hope to be able to celebrate many more anniversaries, starting next year with the 3rd edition of the Fête de la radio, to mark the milestones of its development.
Thank you for listening, thank you for your commitment, and a very happy Fête to you all.